Then the lord gave orders for them all to gather, summoned matron, mistress, and their maids to join him, commanded the men mustered before him to make the meat ready and march it straight in -- then gaily gave Gawain the game he brought home, and recounting his kills – all quick-footed beasts – showed him fine, marbled flesh flayed from their ribs. “Does this prize please you? Are mine praiseworthy deeds? Have I earned accolades for expertise and skill?” “I’ll grant that!” his guest said, “for no greater haul have I seen in winter’s season for the past seven years!” “And all of it I owe to you, all you shall have, for you have won your wager, and my word is good.” “Agreed!” Gawain answered. “I grant you the same! What my courtesy and courage have caught is yours. The prize I pass on is the pay I won.” Impeccably puckering, he planted a kiss, saying “Here is your haul! I have nothing else. I’d make over more, were it mine to give.” “Why that’s good!” he told Gawain. “I am grateful, you know. Though the business would have been better if you hadn’t been so coy about where this prize was won and how your wit claimed it.” “That was not how we settled it! I can say no more. You gained what I got, so our game is tied today.” They laugh and show respect with every word they say. Then on to dinner, to select dainties from every tray.

Whoops! I guess kisses count as winnings ...

alliteration.net/poetry/sggk/ #SirGawain #GreenKnight #Gawain #arthurian #epic #poem #alliterative #poetry #poetrysky #poetrylovers #poetrycommunity #alliterativevere